Door constructions



Sept. 6, 1960 K. B. HAGLUND 2,951,565

DOOR CONSTRUCTIONS Filed 00t- 16, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 6, 1960 K. B. HAGLUND DOOR coNsTRUcTIoNs 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 001'.. 16, 1957 |||||||.||I||L lllllllllllllfllll DOOR CONSTRUCTIONS Karl Bertil Haglund, Olaigatan 13, Orebro, Sweden Filed Oct. 16, 1957, Ser. No. 690,516 Claims priority, application Sweden Oct. 27, 1956 9 claims. (C1. 18a- 46) This invention relates to a door having aframe member at one vertical edge, made as a supporting stile, and a plate secured to said supporting stile and serving as a panel. Doors hitherto designed and manufactured are generally of two main types.

According to one of said types the doors are provided with a supporting square frame of Wood or metal, in which a panel is secured by means of strips or iillets which lare screwed to the frame. The frame which performs the supporting function must be designed for the own weight of the door 'and the stresses inmposed on the same. Therefore, the frame will be rather of heavy dimensions and have a great Weight. Usually, the bottom piece of the frame is made with a larger width (vertical height) than the top piece and the vertically extending pieces.

The panel of such doors is generally made of wood or glass and' has no supporting function but is merely intended to be a lilling element.

According to the other type the door comprises a heavy glass plate which performs the supporting function. The

`glass has generally a thickness of about l2 millimeters and is usually a hardened glass. On the top and bottom edges of said glass plate metallic frames are secured, carrying the hinges. The glass plate must be dimensioned for transferring the entire forces caused by the `weight of the door, such doors being rather darnageable and the price of the same being very high.

One object of the invention is to create an improved door construction which allows a substantial reduction of the weight of the door while maintaining suicient stability, and :another object is to reduce the price of the door and render the appearence of the same more elegant, in particular in case of glass doors.

According to the invention the plate serving as a panel `of the door is `clamped to the supporting stile by means rof a tension frame constituting a `unit per se and being disposed as a lying U, said tension frame having its top and bottom ends spacedA from the supporting stile and provided with screw means for connecting the same with the supporting stile and for allowing a tightening of the panel plate to iii-m engagement with the supporting stile, whereby the supporting stile and the tension frame cooperate to brace the panel plate and render the same an element of a rigid supporting structure of the door.

It should be understood that by means of 'the tension frame a relatively thin panel plate can be easily and expediently included in the supporting structure of the door so as to constitute a rigid unit. A secure engagement between the supporting stile andthe panel plate is obtained and the supporting capacity of both paneland stile is utilized. The supporting stile Ias Well as the tension frame may be made with light dimensions so that the door will have an attractive appearance. In doors of normal Width a relatively thin glass` plate can be used. However,

while the invention has been developed especially f or United States Pate'rfit O iof the tension frame are welded together. 'I'he interglass plates, viz. glass doors, it is not limited thereto,

2,951,565 Patented Sept. 6, 1960 also panel plates of diierent materials being within the scope of the invention. f

Two embodiments of a door construction according to the invention are by way of example illustratedin the accompanying drawings in which:

Figs. 1 to 4 refer to the rst embodiment, while Figs. 5 to 7 refer to the second embodiment;

Fig. 1 is a front View of the complete door on a small scale;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the door on a greater scale and in part in a vertical section through one corner;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line III-III in Fig.` 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line IV-IV in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation similar to that of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section on the line Vl-VI in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on the line VII--VII in Fig. 5.

In Figs. 1 to 4, the reference numeral 2 indicates the plate serving as the panel of the door, While 3 designates the supporting stile and 4 is the tension frame. The panel plate 2 could be a plate of Wood libre, a plastic, a metallic material (especially a light metal alloy) or any other suitable material but in this embodiment said panel plate consists of glass. The supporting stile 3 of the door is made of an iron beam of an U`shaped cross-section (Fig. 4), the two flange portions of said iron section facing towards the tension frame and the panel plate. The tension frame 4 which is disposed as a lying U, is made of flat bar iron (Figs. 2 and 4). The two end sections 4a of the tension frame are provided with terminal extensions made as screw bolts 5 (Figs. 2 and 3), which extend through apertures in the supporting stile 3 and are provided with nuts 6 for tightening the intermediate section 4b of the tension frame together with the panel plate into a irm engagement with the supporting stile.

The apertures provided for the screw bolts 5 are preferablydisposed in Vertical anchor plates 7, which are securely mounted between the two llange portions of the U-beam constituting the supporting stile 3, one such anchor plate being inserted at the top and the other at `supporting stile 3,- Within the same, so that the edge of the fname plate is protected and also is rmly held in its proper position. The top and bottom end sections 4a of `the tension frame are, as already pointed out, spaced from the supporting stile 3, that is from the anchor plates 7, so that the panel plate can be tightened to a firm contact with the filling bar 8 disposed in the supporting stile 3. The-tension frame is surrounded by an ornamental sleeve 10 which also, is ,formed with a groove for receiving the panel plate (see especially Fig. 4) and which is composed of two end sections 10a and an intermediate section 10b. To the top and bottom faces ofthe supporting stile 3 are the'horizontal plates 11 and 12 welded, said plates extending a distance over the end sections of the tension frame and being secured to the same by means of the screws 13 and 14, respectively, for Vlocking the structure and rendering the complete unit more solid and rm in the horizont-al transversal direction.

When mounting a door of the construction described above the procedure may be substantially as follows:

The intermediate section 4b and one end section 4a mediate' section 10b and one end section 10a of the `dimensions of the tension frame.

ornamental sleeve are slipped onto the respective sections of `the tension frame. The remaining end section 4a of the tension frame is welded to the corresponding end of the intermediate section 4b,.and the remaining section fa1of the ornamental sleeve is slipped onto said end section 4a. No interconnection of vthe ornamental sleeve lsections by means of welding or the flike is vrequired. With vthe panel plate inserted and -litted in the groove in the ornamental sleeve 10 carried 'by Vthe -tension frame, and the hook-shaped filling bar ,8' inserted in the supporting stile, the last-mentioned element is placed upon the screw bolts 5 of the tension frame and then the screw nuts are screwed onto said boltsrand are tightened for bracing .the panel plate to a'iir'm Contact with said iilling'bar carried by the supporting stile, Then, the Wedge-like illingV bar 9 is forced into the space formed between the edge of the panel plate and the' yadjacent uiiange portion of the supporting stile, said wedgelike filling bar being nailed tothe hook-shaped filling bar 8. Thereupon, holes for the screws 13 and 14A are drilled in the locking plates 11, 12 andinto the end sections of the tension frame, the hole sections extending in said end sections being screw holes for receiving the ends of the screws 13 and 14. Finally, the surfaces of the supporting stile Smaybe provided with a sheet metal ycovering (not shown in the drawing), preferably consisting of stainless steel.

It should be understood that clamping the panel plate by means of a tension frame will secure a reliable interconnection of the 'panel plate with the supporting stile .and a stable or solid construction in spite of the light A door constructed in accordance with the 'invention will be rather slender and light and may be given a very elegant appearance. At the same time the costs will be substantially reduced when compared with doors of common or well-known types. In comparison with a conventional door of glass Vand -metal the price will be about 30% lower, and in comparison with conventional doors entirely of glass a reduction inV price of about 50% can be had. A particular advantage consists therein .that even doors of a .rather great width can be Yconstructed in accordance with fthe invention.

Thedoor made in accordance with the invention can Y be mounted in the stationary door casing by means of conventional or balancing hinges provided on the supporting stile, as indicated in Fig. l, but apparently a-door according to the invention also may be provided with fittings for mounting the same as a sliding door, as should `be understood by those skilled in the art. Also ttings for door .locks and door closers may be provided in any well-,known manner.

It is possible to replace the U-beam constituting the supporting stile, by a tubular profile enclosing an internal supporting bar,rsuch combination being of similar construction as thatof the tension frame together with the ornamental sleeve, An embodiment of this kind is illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7 of the drawings, -those details which correspond to'the embodiment shown in Figs. l to 4,

being provided with similar reference numerals.

As shown in Figs. 5 to 7, the supporting stile consists of a flat iron lbar 3', rthe Vscrew bolts 5 of the tension frame being inserted through holes made in the end portions of said supporting stile. The supporting stile 3 is enclosed by an ornamental sleeve 15 which also is prolvided with a groove for receiving the glass or panel plate 2. Preferably, the door casing can be constructed in the same Way as the supporting stile 3', viz. of a ilat iron. bar 1.6 and an ornamental sleeve :17 enclosing the same. Only one vertical section of the stationary door casing, corresponding to the supporting stile, is shown inFig. 7. The door is mounted in said section of the doorcasing by means of hinges 18.

` The invention is not restricted to the combinationof the panel plate with `the supporting stile and .the tension ably may be manufactured and delivered as a separate l element.

I claim:

il. In a door construction, a. supporting stile at one vertical edge of the door, a plate serving as a panel of the door and having one vertical edge in engagement with said supporting stile, a tension frame, .encompassing the top and bottom edges and the edge of said panel plate opposite the edge engaging said stile clamping said panel plate in engagement With said supporting stile, said tension frame constituting a unit per se and being disposed as a lying U, said tension frame having its top and bottom ends spaced from said supporting stile, screw means interengaging said stile and frame for firming the engagement of said panel plate with said supporting stile, said tension frame and said supporting stile cooperating to'brace said `panel plate for rendering the same an-ele rnent of rigid supportingstructure of the door.

2.V In a door construction, a supportingstile at one vertical edge of the door, a plate provided as a panel of the .door and having one vertical edge in engagement with said supporting stile, a tension frame for clamping said panel plate to engagement with said supporting stile, said tension frame constituting a unit per se and being disposed as a lying U, said tension frame having its top and bottom ends spaced from said supporting stile, and screw means for connecting the top and bottom ends of said tension lframe with said supporting stile and allowing a tightening of said panel plate to rrn engagement with'said supporting stile, while maintaining a spacing of the top and bottom ends of said tension frame from said supporting stile, said tension frame and said supporting stile cooperating to brace said panel plate for rendering the same an element of a rigid supporting structure ofthe door and rigid vmembers attached both tothe vtop and bottom ends of said supporting stile and to the top and bottom end portions of said tension frame for rendering the structure firm in the horizontaltransversal direction.

3. In a door construction,l a supporting stile at one vertical edge of the door, a plate provided as a panel of the door and having one vertical edge in engagement with said supportingA stile, a tension frame for clamping said 'panel plate to engagement with said supporting stile, said 'tension frame constituting a unit per se and being disposed as 'a lying U, said tension frame having its top -and'brottom ends spaced from said supporting stile, screw bolts Vmade as extensions of the top and bottom ends of said tension frame, apertures in said supporting stile Anear the ends of the same, said screw bolts extending through said apertures,A and nuts on said screw bolts extensions for tightening said panel plate to iirm engagement with said supporting stile, while maintaining a spacing of the top and bottom ends of said tension frame from said supporting stile, said tension frame and said supporting rstile cooperating to brace said panel plate for rendering the same an element of a rigid supporting structure ofthe door and rigid members attached both to the top and bottom ends of said supporting stile and tothe top and bottom end portions of said tension frame Yfor rendering the structure lirm in the horizontal transversal direction.

4. In a door construction, a supporting stile at one vertical edge of the door, a plate provided asa panel of the door and having one vertical edge in engagement with said supporting stile, a tension frame .for clamping said panel plate Vto engagement with said supporting stile, said tension frame constituting a unit per se and being disposed as a lying U, said tension framehaving its top and bottom ends spaced from said supporting stile, 4screw bolts made as `extensions of the top `and bottom'ends near the ends of the same, said screw bolts extending through said apertures, nuts on said screw bolt extensions for tightening said panel plate to rm engagement with said supporting stile, while maintaining a spacing of the top and bottom ends of said tension frame from said supporting stile, said tension frame and said supporting stile cooperating .to brace said panel plate for rendering the same an element of a rigid supporting structure of the door, and plates welded to the top and bottom ends of said supporting stile in horizontal positions and extending over the top and bottom end portions of said tension frame and being screwed to the same for locking the structure.

r5. In a door construction, a supporting stile at one vertical edge of the door, a plate provided as a panel of the door and having one vertical edge in engagement with said supporting stile, tension frame for clamping said panel plateto engagement with said supporting stile, said tension frame constituting a unit per se and being disposed as a lying U, said tension frame having its top and bottom ends spaced from said supporting stile, screw bolts made as extensions of the top and bottom ends of said tension frame, apertures in said supporting stile near the ends of the same, said screw bolts extending through said apertures, nuts on said screw bolt extensions for tightening said panel plate -to lirm engagement with said supporting stile, while maintaining a spacing of the top and bottom ends of said tension frame from said supporting stile, said tension frame and said supporting stile cooperating to brace said panel plate for rendering the same an element of a rigid supporting structure of the door, plates welded to the top and bottom ends of said supporting stile in horizontal positions and extending over the top and bottom end portions of said tension frame and being screwed to the same for locking the structure, and an ornamental sleeve enclosing said tension frame and being formed with a groove for receiving said panel plate;

6. In a door construction, a supporting stile at one vertical edge of the door and made of a beam having an U-shaped cross-section for forming a web and two flange portions, a plate provided as a panel of the door and having one vertical edge engaging in said supporting stile, a tension frame for clamping said panel plate to engagement with said supporting stile, said tension frame constituting a unit per se and being disposed as a lying U, anchor plates securely mounted in vertical positions between the two ange portions of said supporting stile near the ends of the same, apertures in said anchor plates, screw bolts made as extensions of the top and bottom ends of said tension frame and extending through the apertures in said anchor plates, said ltension frame hav ing its top and bottom ends spaced from said anchor plates, and nuts on said screw bolt extensions for tightening said panel plate to rm engagement with said supporting stile, while maintaining a spacing of the top and bottom ends of said tension frame from said supporting stile, said tension frame and said supporting stile cooperating to brace said panel plate for rendering the same an element of a rigid supporting structure of the door and rigid members attached both to the top and bottom ends of said supporting stile and lto the top and 6 bottom end portions of said tension frame tor rendering the structure firm in the horizontal transversal direction.

7. A door construction according to claim 6, in which bars of a filling material are disposed between said panel plate and said supporting stile which consists of an U- beam.

8. In a door construction, a supporting stile at one vertical edge of the door and made of a flat bar, a plate provided as a panel of the door and having one vertical edge in engagement with said supporting stile, a tension frame for clamping said panel plate to engagement With said supporting stile, said tension frame constituting a unit per se and being disposed as a lying U, said tension frame having its top and bottom ends spaced from said supporting stile, screw bolts made as extensions of the top and bottom ends of said tension frame, apertures in said supporting stile near the ends of the same, said screw bolts extending through said apertures, and nuts on said screw bolt extensions for tightening said panel plate to firm engagement with said supporting stile, while maintaining a spacing of the top and bottom ends of said tension frame from said supporting stile, said tension frame and said supporting stile cooperating to brace said panel plate for rendering the same an element of a rigid supporting structure of the door and rigid members attached both to the top and bottom ends of said supporting stile and to the top and bottom end portions of said tension frame for rendering the structure rm in the horizontal transversal direction.

9. In a door construction, a supporting stile at one vertical edge of the door, a plate provided as a panel of the door and having one vertical edge in engagement with said supporting stile, a tension frame for clamping said panel plate to engagement with said supporting stile, said tension frame constituting a unit per se and being disposed as a lying U, said tension frame having its top and bottom ends spaced from said supporting stile, screw bolts made as extensions of the top and bottom ends of said tension frame, apertures in said supporting stile near the ends of the same, said screw bolts extending through said apertures, nuts on said screw bolt extensions for tightening said panel plates to rm engagement with said supporting stile, while maintaining a spacing of the top and bottom ends of said tension frame from said supporting stile, said tension frame and said supporting stile cooperating to brace said panel plate for rendering the same an element of a rigid supporting structure of the door, plates welded to the top and bottom ends of said supporting stile in horizontal positions and extending over the top and bottom end portions of said tension frame and being screwed to the same for locking the structure, an ornamental sleeve enclosing said supporting stile and being formed with a groove for receiving said panel plate, and an ornamental sleeve enclosing said tension frame and being formed with a ygroove for receiving said panel plate.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,644,554 Katz `l'uly 7, 1953 

